On opening night, we learned that the Miami Heat won’t relinquish their crown too easily. After their ring ceremony they triumphed over the Chicago Bulls in Derek Rose’s return.

Also on opening night, the Lakers surprised the Clippers and the entire league by winning 116–103. The Lakers bench put up a statistical anomaly in 76 points with newcomers Xavier Henry, returnee Jordan Farmar and Nick Young shining.

On NBA night #2, Wednesday night, 28 teams were in action with the following notables:

Dwight’s 1st game in a Rockets uniform produced 17 points in a career-high tying 26 rebounds as the Rockets defeat the Charlotte Bobcats.

Mavericks win their first game of the season over the Hawks

Kevin Durant puts up 42 points in a thunder win over the home team Utah Jazz

The Warriors bring the Lakers back to reality with a 125-94 home win. It was a rout from the start with Klay Thompspn scoring a career-high 38 points by shooting 15 of 19 overall field goals and 5 of 7 on three pointers.

Suns beat the Blazers at home to overcome a big game from Damian Lillard.

Pistons defeated the Wizards.

Pacers squeaked by the Pelicans.

And last but definitely not the least, rookie Michael Carter–Williams leading the Philadelphia 76ers in a four-point defeat over the defending champion Miami Heat. As the world knows, he brook several rookie and NBA records by scoring 22 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds and 9 steals!! “What better way to start your NBA career” remarked LeBron James. I agree. He received praise from many and the likes of Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant. Even I sent him a tweet! Waiting for the HoopsReportCard mention but I digress.

We at #Hoops want to wake up just #ONCE feeling like Michael Carter-Williams feels rt now after 22p, 12a, 7r, 9s last nite! @Sixers@MCW1

Its early but a few teams expected to miss the playoffs that posted huge wins – Kings over the Warriors in a huge home opener. Cavs and Kyrie Irving beat the new-look Nets. The Suns beat the Blazers.

Last night featured only 2 games. The Knicks visiting the Bulls and the Clippers hosting the Golden State Warriors. The skinny? Knicks lose by 1 point. And the Clippers bounce back in a real way again the Warriors putting up 126 points to win by 9 led by Chris Paul’s 42 points, 15 assists and 4 blocks.

At the conclusion of this weekend there will be winning streaks, losing steaks and division leaders. Yes! Already! Basketball is back!

Tonight there are 13 more games. The national spotlight is on the Spurs at the Lakers on ESPN.

How did they get here?
The Spurs lost 4 of its last 5 games to slip to number 2 in the West. The LA Lakers won 5 straight games to close the season and 8 of its last 9 quite impressively to attain the 7th seed and a desired date with San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs.

Kobe put on a show that has never been seen in NBA history with the first 47 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks and 3 steals performance in NBA history (Keep in mind the NBA starting keep statistics for blocks and steals in the 1973 – 1974, so I am almost positive that players like Wilt Chamberlain or Oscar Robertson would have accomplished this feat). This is Taking nothing away from Kobe’s huge performance at the age of 34!

Most NBA analysts projected that the Lakers would need to win 65 – 70% of their games after January to make the 8th seed. They did just that down the stretch including winning 80% of their last 10 games to not only make it in but gain the coveted 7th seed.

Now that they are HERE, how much noise will they make without their fearless leader Kobe Bryant? Both teams are deeply affected by injuries. Steve Nash is a game time decision. Same as Ginobili. Tony Parker is also hobbled.

I like the Spurs in all positions except the power forward and center positions. Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol have played as a great tandem down the stretch. The Lakers have played much better “team basketball” of late. They are not a better threat without Kobe, but his absence has allowed players like Steve Blake, Antawn Jamison & Earl Clark to show case their talent. Steve Blake has been the Lakers MVP in the final 2 games. He scored over 20 points in back to back games for the first time in his NBA career!

What the Lakers have going for them? Momentum, with winning 8 of it’s last 9 games. Also, an improved defense featuring their own twin towers and the absence of Steve Nash absent. A motivated and renewed Pau Gasol.

What the Spurs have going for them? Coaching, two words Gregg Popovich. Also, their bench is deeper and has played consistently all season. In addition, they are more seasoned with playoff experience.

The Spurs have met the Lakers in the post season 6 times in the Kobe Bryant era with the winner going to the Finals each time.

Monday night March 18th, the world witnessed a wildly entertaining pre-March madness, playoff-intense battle between the visiting Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.

Let’s appropriately set the stage: The game begins with a recorded Paul Pierce interview in the tunnel “I don’t care if the Miami Heat lose every game the rest of the season. I hope they lose every game this season!” The NBA always has amazing story lines! 5 years to the day that the Houston Rockets 22 game streak ended (3/18/2008), the Heat and Celtics meet with the Celtics primed to be the league’s best streak-breaker AGAIN.

This game had all the makings of a postseason game. A rivalry between perennial enemies. Boston having won 11 straight home games. Miami chasing NBA history having won their previous 22 games and seeking second place all time with 23 consecutive wins. Something had to give. The Celtics started the game hot and Miami fell behind double digits.

Skip forward to the 4th quarter… The HEAT have out scored their opponents in the 23 game win streak in “clutch time” (meaning less than 5 mins to go and score within 5 points) By a whopping 145 to 75!

I feel compelled to steal a line from sporting news: “with the Celtics up 13 points on the Heat with just 8 minutes left in the game, it appeared the Celtics were about to end Miami’s 22 game winning streak UNTIL LeBron James did what LeBron James does.” Dare I say, BEASTMODE.

Its clear the talents and ability that King James bring to the Heat. 35 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists versus the Celtics on Monday night. The eighteenth(18th) 35 and 10 performance of his career. He is shooting near 60% in the Heat’s 23 game win streak to go with about 8 rebounds and 7 assists approximately. And night in and night out, he is the best player on the floor.

Mario Chalmers scored a huge 21 points on 4 for 5 three point shooting.

Dwyane Wade added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

Lingering question: How would the Celtics have faired if their defensive and emotional leader Kevin Garnett had played? We will never know unfortunately.

In other news: Jeff Green had the best game of his career scoring a career high 43 points in an efficient 14 for 21 shooting with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks. 26 points in the first half on 9 for 12 shooting.

Avery Bradley is pretty impressive defensively. The chase down block at the rim on Norris Cole was something to see.

In the end, LeBron James was the difference hitting the shot of the night over Jeff Green with 10 seconds to go.

Miami Heat will win the East and is my pick to win back to back championships. Go ahead and Crown them 2013 NBA Champions. Can the Western conference champ beat Miami?

Yes, San Antonio has a chance. So does OKC. But I think the Heat will win against either. The West is ultra competitive and the winner will be either be severely bruised OR primed, ready and battle-tested.

Where will their historic win streak end? 25 wins? 29 wins? 35? My prediction is that they will win 27 and lose to the Chicago Bulls on the road on March 27th.